Low-income, first-generation college students face long odds. Frustrated that so many of its graduates were struggling to finish college, staff members from Match High School decided to set up a new program to coach some of their graduates (and others) all the way to an online degree. Match Beyond combines intensive coaching with a challenging curriculum provided by an accredited partner (Southern New England University) that prepares students for the workplace and leads to an associate’s or bachelor’s degree.

In this episode of the podcast, Mike Larsson, co-founder and chief operating officer of Match Beyond, talks with EdNext editor-in-chief Marty West about how this new program helps low-income students overcome the obstacles that prevent many from finishing college.

“A New Path to a College Degree,” an article by Jonathan Marcus in the Spring 2017 issue of Education Next, tells the story of Match Beyond.

The EdNext Podcast is available on iTunes, Google Play, Soundcloud, Stitcher and here every Wednesday.

—Education Next